Though the Resident has never been able to secure any substantial and permanent improvement in the administration, he often interposes successfully in individual cases, to relieve suffering, and secure redress for wrongs; and the people see that he interferes in no others.  Their only regret is, that he does not interpose more often, and that his efforts, when he does, should be so often thwarted or disregarded.  The British character is, in consequence, respected in the remotest village and jungle in Oude; and there is, I believe, no part of India where an European officer is received, among the people of all classes, with more kindness and courtesy than in Oude.  There is, certainly, no city or town in any other native State in India where he is treated in the crowded streets with more respect.  This must of course be accounted for in great measure from the greater part of the members of the royal family, and the relatives and dependents of the several persons who have held the highest offices of the State since 1814, either receiving their incomes from the British Government in treaty pensions, or in interest on our Government securities, or being guaranteed in those which they receive from the Oude Government by ours.  A great many of the families of the middle classes depend entirely upon the interest which they receive from us on our Government securities.  There is, indeed, hardly a respectable family in Lucknow that is not more or less dependent upon our Government for protection, and proud to have it considered that they are so.  The works and institutions which would soon be created out of revenues, now absorbed by worthless Court favourites, would soon embellish the face of the country, improve the character, condition, and habits of the people, stimulate their industry in agriculture, manufactures, and commerce; and render our connection with the Oude Government honourable to our name in the estimation of all India.

CHAPTER V.

Baree-Biswa district—­Force with the Nazim, Lal Bahader—­Town of Peernuggur—­Dacoitee by Lal and Dhokul Partuks—­Gangs of robbers easily formed out of the loose characters which abound in Oude—­The lands tilled in spite of all disorders—­Delta between the Chouka and Ghagra rivers—­Seed sown and produce yielded on land—­Rent and stock —­Nawab Allee, the holder of the Mahmoodabad estate—­Mode of augmenting his estate—­Insecurity of marriage processions—­Belt of jungle, fourteen miles west from the Lucknow cantonments—­Gungabuksh Rawat—­His attack on Dewa—­The family inveterate robbers—­Bhurs, once a civilized and ruling people in Oude—­Extirpated systematically in the fourteenth century—­Depredations of Passees—­Infanticide—­How maintained—­Want of influential middle class of merchants and manufacturers—­Suttee—­Troops with the Amil—­Seizure of a marriage procession by Imambuksh, a gang leader—­Perquisites and allowances of Passee watchmen over corn-fields—­Their